Market Overview
Arlington's median sold price is $727K with homes averaging 38 days on market; Bristow is at $719K and 19 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Arlington is pricier ($727K median vs $719K), a difference of about $8K. Bristow moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 38 in Arlington. Bristow offers a lower entry point at $300K–$900K.
Arlington
VA
Bristow
VA
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$727K
$719K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
38 days
19 days
Price Range
$350K–$2.5M
$300K–$900K
Notable Neighborhoods
Ballston, Clarendon, Crystal City, Pentagon City
Kingsbrooke, Victory Lakes, Braemar, Linton Hall
Schools
Arlington has a 89% average SOL pass rate; Bristow has 79% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Arlington include Yorktown High School and Washington-Liberty High School; in Bristow, Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School. See Arlington schools | See Bristow schools
Arlington
VA
Bristow
VA
Avg Pass Rate
89%
79%
Public schools
Yorktown High School, Washington-Liberty High School, Williamsburg Middle School
Patriot High School, Marsteller Middle School, Bristow Run Elementary
These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.
Commute
Arlington is closer to downtown at ~15 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Arlington has 6 Metro stations, including Rosslyn on the Orange/Silver/Blue/Yellow lines. Major highway access: Arlington (I-66, I-395, Rt 50), Bristow (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29).
Arlington
VA
Bristow
VA
Drive to Downtown
~15 min
~50 min
Metro Stations
6 Metro stations (nearest: Rosslyn)
No Metro access
Metro Lines
Orange, Silver, Blue, Yellow
N/A
Major Highways
I-66, I-395, Rt 50
I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29
Commuter Rail
None
VRE (Manassas line)
Walkability
Arlington is more walkable with a Walk Score of 69 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 15 in Bristow. Transit scores: Arlington (57) vs Bristow (8). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Ballston and Kingsbrooke score much higher than suburban areas.
Arlington
VA
Bristow
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
57
8
Bike Score
72
12
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Arlington and Bristow. These historical figures do not describe a specific address or predict an individual's experience. Review the source period and local agency information for current context.
Arlington
VA
Bristow
VA
Reported Violent Crime
1.4/1K
0.6/1K
Reported Property Crime
15.2/1K
7.9/1K
VA
Search homes in Arlington
See active homes, then keep your shortlist and decisions together.
View homesVA
Search homes in Bristow
See active homes, then keep your shortlist and decisions together.
View homesDecided between Arlington and Bristow? See how buying a home works on smover.
Related Comparisons
See how other nearby cities stack up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arlington or Bristow more affordable?
Bristow is more affordable with a median sold price of $719K, compared to $727K in Arlington (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Arlington prices range from $350K–$2.5M. Bristow prices range from $300K–$900K.
What are the public-school pass rates in Arlington and Bristow?
Arlington public schools have a 89% average SOL pass rate; Bristow has 79% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Arlington include Yorktown High School and Washington-Liberty High School; in Bristow, Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.
Which is easier to commute from, Arlington or Bristow?
Arlington has the shorter commute to downtown at ~15 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Arlington has Metro access (Rosslyn). Bristow has no direct Metro access.
How do Arlington and Bristow compare?
Arlington offers urban energy with a neighborhood feel. Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover lets you compare agent profiles and available transaction records in either city.
Median sold prices and days on market are 12-month aggregates of settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026. School data from Virginia DOE, Maryland MSDE, and DC OSSE public reports. Property tax rates from Virginia Dept. of Taxation (2024). Walkability scores from Walk Score (2024). Crime data from FBI UCR and Virginia State Police (2023). Commute times are approximate rush-hour estimates. Updated September 2026.